Emergency Info

Many dental-related pains may seem like emergencies; however there are some that can be taken care of at home. Below are a few of the most common dental challenges our pediatric dentists hear about and what you can do to address them. As always, we are here if you need us and, in some cases, we hope you’ll contact us immediately for an appointment at one of our Scottsdale locations.

#1 Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

Knocking out a permanent tooth is serious for your child and quick reaction and timing is critical. Make sure you retrieve the tooth, and only hold it by the crown or top and not the root end. You should rinse off the tooth but don’t try to clean it and don’t handle it more than necessary. Next, reinsert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If reinserting the tooth isn’t possible, put it in a cup of milk or water and see us immediately for an appointment with Drs. Anfinson, Wilson, Goldstein or Eardley..

#2 Broken Tooth

If your child accidentally breaks a tooth, quickly rinse the mouth with warm water and put a cold compress over the injury to relieve swelling and pain. Retrieve any pieces of the broken tooth, if you can and seek immediate dental attention.

#3 Possible Broken Jaw

If your child has injured his or her jaw or you think they may have broken it, tie the mouth closed with a towel, tie or handkerchief and go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

#4 Tooth Ache

If your child complains of a toothache, our doctors recommend relieving the pain with acetaminophen, NOT aspirin. It’s also important to keep the area around the painful tooth clean by rinsing with warm salt water. If the face starts to swell, you can use a cold compress to relieve the swelling. Please contact our office for an appointment with Drs. Anfinson, Wilson, Goldstein or Eardley as quickly as possible.

#5 Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out

Baby teeth falling out is a natural occurrence and usually exciting if the Tooth Fairy visits your home. However, if your child incurs excessive bleeding after a baby tooth falls out, put tight pressure on the empty cavity with a folded piece of sterile gauze and have your child bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, see a dentist right away.

#6 Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek

Children love to play and sometimes accidents may happen that result in them biting or cutting their tongue, lip or cheek. If these injuries bleed, use sterile gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm, but gentle, pressure to the wound. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes of pressure, you should travel to the nearest emergency room. You can also apply ice to any areas of the face or mouth that bruise.

#7 Cold or Canker Sores

Your child will likely get a cold or canker sore at sometime. While these can be painful, they are not usually cause for emergency concern. Use over-the-counter medications to provide relief from pain and agitation. If the sores linger or recur, give us a call.

#8 Broken Braces and Wires

It’s possible that you may eat something or have an injury that will cause your braces to break or dislodge. If this happens, remember to only take out the broken brace or wire if it comes out easily. Never try to pull out part of your braces if it is painful to remove or stuck. Instead, cover any sharp edges with wax, cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum. DO NOT try to remove any wires caught in the gums, cheek or tongue; see a dentist right away. For loose or broken braces or wires that don’t cause any pain, an emergency trip to the dentist is not usually required. If you’re unsure, please give our office a call.

Contact Your Expert Scottsdale Orthodontists at APDO

If you’re ever unsure about how to treat mouth pain or injury, don’t hesitate to contact your dentistry experts in Scottsdale. With two convenient locations, our award-winning, comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care is only minutes away. Contact us with any questions you may have or to schedule your next appointment.